Bonilla sentenced to community service, fine

Painter told the judge that prosecutors recommended Gianelli issue the maximum jail sentence to conserve public trust in the court system. He did not comment further after the sentence was issued.

DiLuzio added that he will recommend Bonilla file an appeal, but they have yet to make a decision regarding the matter at this time. He added that Bonilla had to report his conviction to the appellate court, which may decide to strip him of his legal license.

Bonilla, a resident of Bellmore, was arrested last Sept. 21, 2012 by investigators from District Attorney Kathleen Rice’s office. Town Supervisor Kate Murray said complaints of sexual harassment by Bonilla were made to the town’s Human Resources Department last August. The town attorney’s office began its own investigation before turning the case over to Rice.

Bonilla, the town clerk since 2003, faced misdemeanor charges of official misconduct, second-degree coercion and attempted petit larceny. He pleaded not guilty at his arraignment on Sept. 22, 2012. He was convicted of the second official misconduct charge that was added to a revised complaint filed at First District Court on Sept. 27, according to the district attorney's office.

Gianelli said she found Bonilla guilty of the second official misconduct charge because text messages that he sent to clerk's office employee, Alex Desidoro, to obtain intimate photographs of the woman who alleged he was harassing her were substantial evidence that he broke the law.

The judge granted orders of protection from Bonilla to Desidoro and two other town employees in court on Monday.